







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
| My beard makes me look older, I think. | |
| You know some people don't like putting their ad on the internet. | |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | |
| No worries Mike, as I said, he only does it when he is stressed. | |
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | |